George Brown theatre students capture the essence of 16th century England in an exceptional performance
J Jocelyn Adema (left) as Lady Hanna Kennedy and Priscilla Taylor (right) as Mary Stuart, Queen of Scotland
Photo: Larry LaForet/George Brown Theatre School
George Brown Theatre School (GBTS) students captivated the audience with their production of Mary Stuart by Friedrich Schiller, stunning the crowd with their strong performance.
“It was daunting at first because she’s such a historic character and woman,” said Sarah Bridget Doyle, cast as Elizabeth Queen of England. “She’s such an unbelievable woman and to be able to portray her is incredible; and it’s very challenging figuring out when she’s Queen and when she’s Elizabeth, there is such a difference between the two.”
Directed by Jeanette Lambermont-Morey, the GBTS students took charge of their roles with enthusiasm. Their portrayal of 16th century England was accurate and not only allowed the audience to see history in front of their eyes, but to get a deeper meaning behind the struggle of Mary Stuart, the Queen of Scotland, and Elizabeth.
Finding her way to the stage through the regional arts program at St. Elizabeth High School in Thornhill to George Brown College (GBC), Doyle has also been cast in three other GBC productions, playing the ward in Women Beware Women, Gwendolyn in The Importance of Being Ernest, and Catherine in The Mob.
Cast as Stuart, Priscilla Taylor said, “firstly, it’s a huge honour; its daunting being given such a massive historic role, but I think the challenge and what’s so rewarding is to find the heart and humanity in it and to not get stuck in playing the history.”
Taylor, being an actor, singer and dancer from Toronto, has four GBTS credits under her belt having been cast in productions such as: White Biting Dog, The Second Mrs. Tanqueray, The School Mistress, and The Mob.
The nephew of Sir Amias Paulet, Mortimer, played by Matthew Finlan weighed in on his experiences in the production as a mad man and lover by saying, “it was scary at first, I didn’t know if I could do it. But when you find it, it clicks in certain rehearsals, and you get it, and you realize that this is where a character lives,” also adding that it’s been harder to continue playing the role, but that it takes a mustering of strength and harnessing of energy to keep going.
An astonishing performance by each actor, it was impressive display of the talent at GBC; with historic roles, both Doyle and Taylor shined in this spectacular rendition of Mary Stuart.
It was about “finding the person, not the figure,” said Doyle.
Performed in the Tankhouse Theatre at the Young Centre for the Performing Arts, which houses the George Brown College theatre school, tickets for adults are $20 seniors, George Brown staff & alumni can pay $15 and student tickets are just $8.
The play runs to Saturday, Nov. 15.
This is surely not the last to be seen from the GBTS and for a list of upcoming productions and more information, students can visit www.georgebrown.ca/theatre/productions
